Full Time Faculty PhD. In Microbiology, University of Nottingham, UK
Curriculum Vitae |
Dr. Fariza Shams is an Assistant Professor at North South University in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. She earned her Masters's degree in Clinical Microbiology with Distinction and PhD in Microbiology from the University of Nottingham and has over 17 years of experience in academia. Her research focuses on antibiotic resistance, microbial pathogenesis, and biofilm studies. Dr. Shams has published several papers in leading journals and received multiple awards, including the International Research Excellence and Commonwealth scholarships.
Selected Publications
Khan F, Saha K, Rahaman MM, Sadique A, Murshid M, Alam J, Shams F, Hossain MM, Rumman K, Hossain M. Draft genome sequence of Proteus sp. strain NGCRVN-01, isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2025 Jul 10;14(7):e0017525. doi: 10.1128/mra.00175-25. Epub 2025 Jun 17. PMID: 40525429; PMCID: PMC12243551.
Rahaman MM, Akter S, Asrafie S, U ZZ, Rafsan R, Sadique A, Alam J, Khan F, Tonny NH, Hossain R, Rahman MM, Zisan AN, Billah MB, Uddin KM, Rahman MM, Ahmed O, Shams F, Sharmin A, Hossain MM, Hossain M. Draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain NGMBE-25A isolated from fecal samples of migratory birds at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2025 Jul 10;14(7):e0116024. doi: 10.1128/mra.01160-24. Epub 2025 Jun 9. PMID: 40488493; PMCID: PMC12243578.
Hossain M, Tabassum T, Rahman A, Hossain A, Afroze T, Momen AMI, Sadique A, Sarker M, Shams F, Ishtiaque A, Khaleque A, Alam M, Huq A, Ahsan GU, Colwell RR. Genotype-phenotype correlation of β-lactamase-producing uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains from Bangladesh. Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 3;10(1):14549. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71213-5. PMID: 32883963; PMCID: PMC7471317.
Rahman A, Bhuiyan OF, Sadique A, Afroze T, Sarker M, Momen AMI, Alam J, Hossain A, Khan I, Rahman KF, Kamruzzaman M, Shams F, Ahsan GU, Hossain M. Whole genome sequencing provides genomic insights into three Morganella morganii strains isolated from bovine rectal swabs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2020 Mar 1;367(6):fnaa043. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa043. PMID: 32129839.
Oldfield, N. J., Shams, F., Wooldridge, K. G., & Turner, D. P. J. (2017). Moonlighting functions of bacterial fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolases. In B. Henderson (Ed.), Moonlighting proteins: Novel virulence factors in bacterial infections (pp. 321–331). John Wiley & Sons.
Shams F, Oldfield NJ, Lai SK, Tunio SA, Wooldridge KG, Turner DP. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase of Neisseria meningitidis binds human plasminogen via its C-terminal lysine residue. Microbiologyopen. 2016 Apr;5(2):340-50. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.331. Epub 2016 Jan 5. PMID: 26732512; PMCID: PMC4831477.
Shams F, Oldfield NJ, Wooldridge KG, Turner DP. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA)-a conserved glycolytic enzyme with virulence functions in bacteria: 'ill met by moonlight'. Biochem Soc Trans. 2014 Dec;42(6):1792-5. doi: 10.1042/BST20140203. PMID: 25399608.
Noor AF, Shams F, Munshi SK, Hassan M, Noor R. Prevalence and antibiogram profile of uropathogens isolated from hospital and community patients with urinary tract infections in Dhaka city. J Bangladesh Acad Sci. 2013 Jun;37(1):57–63. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i1.15681
Manuscripts Under Review
Shams F, Tabassum S, Rahman A, Tonny NH, Debnath P, Badhon A, Sadique A, Alam J, Hossain M. Whole‑Genome Sequencing of Two Clinical Staphylococcus haemolyticus Isolates Highlights Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Prophage Elements.
Rib NI, Shams F, Hossain SA, Sadique A, Alam J, Khan F, Debnath P, Hossain A, Rahman A, Tabassum SN, Huq TS, Hossain MM. Genomic Characterization of the Comamonas kerstersii Isolated from Diarrheal Patients in Bangladesh.
Khan F, Shams F, Bhuiyan MSM, Rahman A, Tabassum SN, Hossain SA, Sadique A, Jaber AA, Alam J, Rumman K, Biswash P, Debnath P, Bhandare S, Hossain MM. Novel Lytic Bacteriophage Targets Multidrug‑Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: Draft Genome Sequencing from Dhaka, Bangladesh..
Huq TS, Rib NI, Shams F, Rahman A, Khan F, Sadique A, Alam J, Tabassum SN, Tonny NH, Hossain R, Hossain A, Islam S, Khaleque A, Islam A, Hossain M, Alsuwat MA, Rumman K, Joshi L, Hossain MM. Genotype–phenotype correlation of non‑O157 Shiga‑toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) obtained from Bangladeshi cattle.
Khan F, Tonny NH, Rahaman MM, Sadique A, Alam J, Tabassum M, Tamanna T, Miah S, Shams F, Sharmin A, Talukder AA, Billah B, Rahman MM, Rahman MM, Hossain M. Genomic Insights into Serratia marcescens NGJE‑81: A Drain Sediment Isolate from Bangladesh.
Khan F, Sadique A, Jaber AA, Hossain SA, Imam MR, Rahaman MM, Alam J, Rafsan R, Saha K, Faik MA, Das T, Ahmed O, Shams F, Sharmin A, Hossain M, Rumman K, Alam M, Hossain M. Genome Report of Vibrio alginolyticus from Marine Water of Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh
Theory courses:
Virology, Microbial Taxonomy, Molecular Biology, Microbial Genetics, Immunology, Enzymology, Basic Microbiology,
Biology I
Laboratory courses:
Virology Lab, Infectious Diseases and Diagnostic Microbiology Lab, Molecular Biology Lab, Immunology Lab,
Basic Microbiology Lab, Biology-I Lab
Research Interests
My research interests broadly encompass clinical and environmental microbiology, focusing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), biofilms, bacteriophages, and bioinformatics. I am particularly keen on mentoring students of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology programs, who are enthusiastic about exploring these areas through hands-on, research-driven learning. I actively encourage student participation in innovative and relevant microbiological projects. I am committed to developing interdisciplinary and forward-looking research themes addressing current and emerging microbiology challenges.
Research Grants
Principal Investigator (PI) – Phage Resistance: A Kryptonite of Phage Therapy Against Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae
Research Grant, North South University Conference Travel and Research Grants Committee (CTRG), 2024–2025.
Co-Investigator (Co-I) – Host-Microbe Plasma Metagenomics for Diagnosing Sepsis in Critically Ill Adults
Research Grant, North South University Conference Travel and Research Grants Committee (CTRG), 2024–2025.
Principal Investigator (PI) – A Comparative Analysis of Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Resistance Among Different Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus spp.
Research Grant, North South University Conference Travel and Research Grants Committee (CTRG), 2020–2021.
Completed Undergraduate Projects
Clinical Microbiology/ Antimicrobial Resistance/ Biofilm
Bacteriophage
Bioinformatics
Literature Review-Based Projects
Ongoing Undergraduate projects:
Bacteriophage
Environmental Microbiology/Antimicrobial Resistance/ Biofilm
Bioinformatics